Cold compress device

ABSTRACT

A cold compress device for treating injuries in mammals, including a flexible inflatable compress adapted to be placed adjacent an area to be treated and a source of compressed refrigerant connected to the compress. A channel is formed in a portion of the compress wall which must be traversed by incoming refrigerant before it enters the interior of the inflatable compress. The device also includes means interposed between the source of refrigerant and the compress for controlling the rate of flow of refrigerant from the source into the compress, and pressure relief means connected to the compress for regulating the maximum pressure therein. The compressed refrigerant expands in the compress to thus simultaneously cool and inflate the compress, with the temperature of the refrigerant within the compress being controlled by the flow rate control means.

I llnited mates 1 1 Mar. 18, 1975 COLD COMPRESS DEVICE [76] Inventor:Donald J. Roslonski, 38 Fairview Ave., Bricktown, NJ. 08723 [22] Filed:May 10, 1973 [21] Appl. No: 358,899

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.213,978, Dec. 30,

1971, abandoned.

Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Schuyler,Birch, Swindler, McKie & Beckett [57] ABSTRACT A cold compress devicefor treating injuries in mammals, including a flexible inflatablecompress adapted to be placed adjacent an area to be treated and asource of compressed refrigerant connected to the compress. A channel isformed in a portion of the compress wall which must be traversed byincoming refrigerant before it enters the interior of the inflatablecompress. The device also includes means interposed between the sourceof refrigerant and the compress for controlling the rate of flow ofrefrigerant from the source into the compress, and pressure relief meansconnected to the compress for regulating the maximum pressure therein.The compressed refrigerant expands in the compress to thussimultaneously cool and inflate the compress, with the temperature ofthe refrigerant within the compress being controlled by the flow ratecontrol means.

28 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures lBui i PATENIE RARI ems SHEU 2 BF 3 FEG.6

PATENTED I 81975 3.87 1.38 1

' sumsufg Hal,

COLD COMPRESS DEVICE This application is a continuation-in-part of mycopending application, Ser. No. 213,978 filed Dec. 30, 1971 nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cold packing is a well known treatment forinjuries such as bruises, muscle strain, and sprains. The conventionalmethods of applying such treatment include the application of ice bags,cold wet cloths, etc. Such methods are incapable of providing asustained treatment over a relatively long period of time. The use ofcold wet cloths also is objectionable in that it is difficult to preventthe patient and his surroundings becoming soaked with water from thecloths. Also, continuous treatment with cold wet cloths requires theconstant attention of an attendant to continually change and rewet thecloths. To a somewhat lesser, but still objectionable, extent,continuous treatment with ice bags suffers from the same disadvantage.

Recently there have been introduced onto the market so-called chemicalice-packs. Chemical ice-packs contain amounts of separately storedchemical substances which are mixed to initiate a strongly endothermicchemical reaction when it is desired'to use the chemical ice-pack.Chemical ice-packs also are effective only for a limited'period of timeand it is not possible to adjust the temperature of the cold pack.

Cold wet cloths, ice-packs and chemical ice-packs all have thedisadvantage that it is not possible to maintain an accurate and uniformpressure on the area being treated since they all depend on handapplication.

Also, devices have been proposed for passing a cooled fluid through aninflated bandage in order to treat variousdisorders. An example of sucha device is disclosed in Gardner U.S. Pat. No. 3,186,404. While suchdevices are operable to provide a constant and uniform pressure againstthe injured area, in order to provide the desired cooling, they requirethe use of bulky and expensive external refrigeration equipment, therebyreducing the convenience and availability of the devices.

Another device is disclosed in Berndt U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,537. TheBerndt device comprises an inflatable bandage with a scalable openingtherein to facilitate introduction of a volatile refrigerant into apouch in the interior of the bandage. It has the disadvantage that themeans used to seal the bandage may fail when flexed or placed underpressure. More importantly the Berndt device does not provide adequatecontrol of the temperature of the bandage inasmuch as the total amountof refrigerant is introduced into the bandage at one time and no meansis provided for regulating the rate at which the refrigerant volatizes.Because accurate control of the temperature is often particularlycrucial, this latter disadvantage is most serious.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device fortreating injuries in mammals by applying sustained cooling withpressure.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device inwhich the applied pressure may be accurately controlled.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device of theaforesaid type in which the temperature may be accurately controlled.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device in whichthe cooling effect may be concentrated in a particular portion of thedevice or may be uniformly distributed across the device.

It is another object of the invention to provide a such device whichdoes not require the constant attention of an attendant. v

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which isrelatively compact and self-contained so as to be particularly adaptedfor portable operation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device for treatinginjuries in mammals by applying sustained cooling with pressure which isrelatively inexpensive in comparison to devices requiring externalrefrigeration equipment and thereby may be made more readily available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects of the invention areacheived by providing a device for treating injuries in mammalscomprising a flexible, inflatable compress adapted to be placed adjacentan area to be treated, a conducting channel formed in one wall of thecompress opening into the interior of the compress, an external sourceof compressed refrigerant connected to the channel,-

means for controlling the rate of flow of refrigerant from the sourceinto'the compress interposed between the source and the channel, andpressure relief means connected to the compress communicating betweenthe interior of the compress and the ambient atmosphere for regulatingthe maximum pressure in the compress.

The compressed refrigerant expands as it flows from the source thereofthrough the compress, and thereby simultaneously cools and inflates thecompress.

The general temperature of the compress depends on the rate at whichheat is absorbed by the refrigerant which in turn depends on the rate ofexpansion and/or volitization of the refrigerant. The invention providesfor means to control the rate of flow of refrigerant from i the sourcethrough the channel into the compress thereby controlling the rates ofexpansion and volitization and enabling accurate regulation of thegeneral temperature of the compress. Conveniently, such means maycomprise a manually adjustible valve interposed between the refrigerantsource and the hose leading to the inflatable compress. The compresspreferably is made from an inelastic flexible material or is surroundedby an inelastic flexible restraint so that the volume of the compress,when inflated, will be substantially constant to thereby provide asubstantially constant refrigerant temperature for a particularrefrigerant flow rate.

The pressure of the refrigerant within the compress is controlled by thepressure relief means, which conveniently comprises a conventionalpressure relief valve connected to the compress and communicatingbetween the interior thereof and ambient atmosphere.

The channel serves to conduct the incoming compressed refrigerant to adesired portion of the inflatable compress. The major expansion of thecompressed refrigerant and, if the refrigerant is liquifled, most of thevolitization of the liquid will take place in the channel. Expansionand/or volitization of the refrigerant are the processes by which heatis absorbed and cooling is effected. Thus, by appropriately locating thechannel in the compress wall, it is possible to control the location ofthe principal cooling effect. Accordingly, by'extending the channel overthe entire portion of the wall of the compress which contacts the areabeing treated, it is possible to distribute the cooling effect generallyuniformly over the entire area. Likewise by disposing the channel on aparticular portion of the compress wall it is possible to concentrateand localize to a certain extent the cooling effect of the device.

The invention will be further described in connection with the followingembodiments adapted for treating race horses and humans.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of adevice according to the invention in the form of an inflatable sleeveused for treating the foreleg of a horse.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention inthe form of a mitten used for treating the hand, wrist and forearm of ahuman.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention inthe form of a boot for treating the foot and ankle of a human.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention inthe form of a wrap-around bandage.

FIG. 5 is a plan view, partially in section, of the cold compress mittenof FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a vertical section view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a plan view, partially in section, of the wraparound coldcompress device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a plan view, partially in section, of a modified form of thewrap-around cold compress device of FIG. 4 showing an alternatearrangement for the conducting channel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Race horses and show horsesoften suffer from disabling leg injuries, such as bruises, strains andsprains. This no doubt is the result of the strenuous training andcompetition to which they are subjected. Since race horses and showhorses generally are quite valuable, and since leg injuries candrastically reduce the value of such horses, it is desirable to provideprompt and effective treatment for such injuries.

The device, shown in FIG. 1, is adapted to provide such prompt andeffective treatment, and includes an inflatable compress in the form ofan inflatable sleeve 1. Sleeve 1 may be made from any suitablegasimpervions, flexible material, such as rubber; and preferably is madefrom an inelastic, gas-impervious, flexible material, such as rubberizedfabric or polyvinyl plastic material. Alternatively, sleeve 1 may besurrounded by a restraint made from an inelastic flexible material, suchas a fabric material. Sleeve 1 is slipped over the foreleg of a horse 10to be treated prior to inflation thereof, and is held in place by thepressure of the inflated device against the horses leg.

The device of the invention also includes a source of compressedrefrigerant, such as a tank 2 of liquified refrigerant. A large numberof refrigerants, such as carbon dioxide, propane,monochlorodifluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, ordichlorotetrafluoroethane may be used in the device of the invention.The foregoing refrigerants are mentioned merely by way of example, andit is understood that the invention embraces the use of any suitablehydrocarbon, halocarbon, or inert compound refrigerant. Preferably, therefrigerant chosen is comparatively non-toxic in accordance with theUnderwriters Laboratories classification of refrigerants. Materials suchas sulfur dioxide, which is highly toxic, generally are not preferred.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, tank 2 isconnected to sleeve 1 by a flexible pressure hose 3. This is generallythe most convenient arrangement, but it also is within the scope of theinvention to connect the tank directly to the compress without the useof an intervening hose. Hose 3 is insulated to limit the absorbtion ofheat by the refrigerant prior to entering the channel in the compresswall. Interposed between tank 2 and hose 3, and affixed to tank 2, is amanually operable valve 4 which controls the rate of flow of refrigerantfrom tank 2 into sleeve 1. More complex arrangements, such as anadjustable flow-responsive solenoid valve or even a valve controlled bya computer in response to a multiplicity of parameters affecting thetreatment, may be substituted for manual valve 4. By controlling therate of flow of refrigerant from tank 2 to bandage l, valve 4 controlsthe temperature of the refrigerant within the compress.

An optional harness 5 may be used to support tank 2 on the patient,thereby providing for portable operation. If portable operation is notnecessary or desired, tank 2 or other source of refrigerant may besupported next to the patient in any suitable manner, such as by meansof a'wall or floor rack or the like.

A pressure relief means such as a conventional pres sure relief valve 6is connected to the wall of sleeve 1 and communicates between theinterior thereof and ambient atmosphere. Valve 6 opens and allowsrefrigerant vapors to escape from within sleeve 1 when the pressure ofthe vapors within the compress exceeds a predetermined level. When thepressure of the refrigerant within the sleeve has decreased to thedesired level, valve 6 will again close. The valve may be detachablyconnected by threads or the like so that a given valve readily may beexchanged for another valve responsive to a different pressure level.Also, it is within the scope of the invention to use an adjustablevalve. Since the pressure applied to the area being treated is equal tothe pressure of the refrigerant within sleeve 1, valve 6 ensures that asubstantially constant pressure is applied to the injured area.

A check valve 7 optionally may be interposed in line 3 between valve 4and compress l to prevent back-flow of refrigerant from the compressshould the flow of refrigerant from the source be interrupted. Asmentioned hereinabove valve means 4 is provided to allow the operator tocontrol the flow of refrigerant. The provision of valve means 4 andcheck valve 7 makes it possible to switch from an exhausted refrigeranttank to a fresh tank without disturbing treatment in progress. This alsomakes it possible to shut off the flow of refrigerant and allow gradualwarm up of the compress to ambient temperature before the compress isremoved if it is desired to avoid sudden changes in the temperatureapplied to the area being treated. Check valve 7 also serves as a safetyfeature to prevent deflation and loss of compress 1 should hose 3 besevered or pulled loose as sometimes may happen if an animal is beingtreated. In practice the basic construction of check valve 7 may besubstantially similar to the structure of the pressure relief valve 6.If desired, the compress also may be provided with a quick release valve8 which communicates between the interior of the compress and theambient atmosphere. During treatment the valve is maintained in closedposition. Opening release valve 8 facilitates rapid deflation of thecompress so that it may be quickly and easily removed when the treatmentis ended. The structure of such valves is well known to those skilled inthe art and accordingly, will not be described in detail here.

In FIG. 1, a central portion of the outer wall of sleeve compress I isshown cut away to reveal the underlying conducting channel 9 formed inthe inner wall of the compress adjacent the horses leg. Channel 9commences at the point where hose 3 enters compress l and winds its wayback and forth across substantially the entire inner wall of the sleevebefore it ends at the opposite end of the compress near the horses footwhere it opens into the interior of the compress. The refrigerant whichis passed directly into channel 9 from hose 3 is thus constrained totraverse substantially the entire area to be treated before passing intothe interior of the compress. Accordingly, the cooling effect isdistributed substantially uniformly across the entire area beingtreated. Almost all of the volitization of the refrigerant if it is aliquid, and in any event, the principal expansion of the compressedrefrigerant whether liquid or gaseous will take place in the channel.Since these are the primary heat absorbtion processes, the coolingeffect is thus concentrated to a certain extent immediately adjacent thearea to be treated. Details of the construction of the channel will beexplained hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

In operation, sleeve 1 is placed over the area to be treated, and valve4 is then opened allowing compressed refrigerant to flow from tank 2through hose 3 and through channel 9 in the sleeve wall into theinterior of sleeve 1, thereby inflating the compress. The pressure ofthe refrigerant within sleeve 1 is maintained substantially constant byvalve 6. The expansion of the refrigerant as it flows from the tank,through the channel and the interior chamber of the compress intoambient atmosphere cools the compress. The amount of cooling isdependent on the particular refrigerant used and the rate of flow ofrefrigerant from tank 2 into compress l. The refrigerant flow rate iscontrolled by valve 4, thereby facilitating control of the temperatureof the bandage.

As described above, in the preferred embodiment of the device of theinvention, sleeve 1 is made from an inelastic material, or is surroundedby an inelastic restraint. Therefore, the compress, when inflated, willhave a substantially constant volume. With this arrangement, and sincethe pressure of the refrigerant within the compress is maintained at asubstantially constant level by valve 6, for a particular flow rate ofrefrigerant, the rate of volitization and expansion and consequently thetemperature of the refrigerant within the bandage also will remainsubstantially constant. The pressure and temperature applied to the areato be treated can thus be accurately controlled by the appropriateselection of valve 6 and regulation of valve 4.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in theform of an inflatable mitten for treating the hand, wrist and forearm ofa human. Mitten compress 21 takes the general form of a triple-walledenvelope which is open at one end 22 through which the hand and arm ofthe patient can be extended. An inlet fitting 23 is provided incommunication with a channel formed between the second and third walllayers. An outlet fitting 24 communicates between the ambient atmosphereand an interior cavity formed in the space between the first and secondwall layers. A pressure relief valve 26 is mounted in outlet fitting 24.Fittings 23 and 24 are secured in position through the respective layersby means of gripping collars 25. Also provided is a quick release valve28 communicating between the ambient atmosphere and the interior cavitybetween the first and second wall layers. Valve 28 may be opened tofacilitate rapid deflation of the compress when desired. Further detailsof the wall construction of mitten 21 will be explained hereinafter inconjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the instantinvention in theform of an inflatable boot adapted to be used to treatthe foot and ankle of a human. Except for its L-shape, boot 31essentially is the same in construction as mitten 21. The foot and legof the patient are inserted through opening 32 at the top of the boot.Inlet fitting 33, outlet fitting 34, pressure release valve 36 and quickrelease valve 38 correspond to the fittings and valves 22-28 previouslydiscussed in conjunction with FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of theinstant invention which takes the form of an inflatable wrap-aroundbandage. Inflatable bandage 41 takes the form of a tri-layer pad with aninlet fitting 43 provided in communication with a channel formed betweenthe second and third layers and a quick release valve 48 and an outletfitting 44 with a pressure relief valve 46 therein both communicatingbetween the ambient atmosphere and the interior cavity formed in thespace between the first and second layers. Locking strips 45 on theoutside of the bandage mate with corresponding strips (not shown) on theback of the bandage when the bandage is wrapped around a portion of thebody of a patient being treated to secure the bandage in position.Suitable locking strips are distributed by the 3M Company, Minneapolis,Minnesota, under the trademark VELCRO. When the bandage is inflated, theinternal pressure which forces the bandage against the body of thepatient firmly holds the bandage in place. Further details of theconstruction of the bandage shown in FIG. 4 will be discussedhereinafter in conjuction with FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the inflatable mitten shown in FIG. 2, and FIG.6 is a vertical section of the same mitten taken along line 6-6 of FIG.5. As previously mentioned each of the walls of mitten 21 comprisesthree layers of flexible thermoplastic material designated respectivelyfrom the outside to the inside by reference numerals S0, 51 and 52.Layers 50 and 51 are shown partially cut away in FIG. 5 to reveal theunderlying structure. The outer margins of all three of the layers arejoined together by means such as heat seal 53 forming a closed interiorchamber 54 between layer 50 and layers 51 and 52. Layer 51 and layer 52are further joined to each other by a pattern of heat seals 55 which maybe visualized as a pair of interlocking combs extending generally overthe entire surface of the two layers, whereby a continuous channel 56extending back and forth between the teeth" of the comb-like seals 55 isformed between layer 51 and layer 52. One end of channel 56 communicateswith inlet fitting 23. At the opposite end of channel 56, a hole 57 isprovided in layer 51 through which channel 56 opens into the interiorcavity 54 between layer 50 and layers 51 and 52. Refrigerant enteringthe compress through inlet fitting 23 is thus constrained to passthrough channel 56 over substantially the entire surface of layer 52immediately adjacent the hand, wrist and arm of the patient beingtreated before the refrigerant enters the interior cavity 54 therebyinflating the bandage. Thus, the cooling effect of the refrigerant issubstantially uniformly distributed over the entire surface of theinflatable mitten, and uneven warm and cool spots are largely prevented.Since almost all of the volitization and most of the expansion of therefrigerant will take place in the channel, the channel arrangement alsoassures that the principal cooling effect will be concentratedimmediately adjacent the portion of the patients body being treated thusreducing the absorbtion of heat from the ambient atmosphere and therebyconserving on the amount of refrigerant necessary to maintain the coldcompress mitten at a given temperature. Refrigerant vapors in excess ofthe amount needed to maintain the desired pressure in the inflatedcompress are gradually released from interior chamber 54 through outletfitting 24 and pressure relief valve 26.

FIG. 7 is a plan view, partially in section, of the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIG. 4 in the form of an inflatable wrap-aroundbandage. Bandage 41 comprises three layers of flexible thermoplasticmaterial designated respectively from top to bottom by referencenumerals 60, 61 and 62. The outer margins of layer 60 and layer 62 arejoined to each other by a heat seal 63 forming an enclosed interiorchamber therebetween. Layer 61 is smaller in size than either of layers60 and 62 and is positioned in the interior space formed between layers60 and 62. The outer margins of layer 61 and elongated strips extendingalternately from the sides into the center region of layer 61 are joinedto layer 62 by heat seals 65, thereby forming a channel 66 which windsits way back and forth between layers 61 and 62 over substantially theentire surface of layer 61. One end of channel 66 is in communicationwith inlet fitting 43. The opposite end of channel 66 opens through ahole 67 in layer 61 into the interior chamber formed in the spacebetween layers 60 and 62. Outlet fitting 44 with pressure relief valve46 attached thereto and quick release valve 48 both communicate throughlayer 60 between the interior chamber of the inflatable bandage and theambient atmosphere. Locking strips 45 are disposed at each end of thewrap-around bandage on opposite sides thereof so that when the bandageis wrapped around a portion of the body of a patient being treated, theywill mate and secure the inflatable bandage in position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modification of the wrap-around cold compress shownin FIGS. 4 and 7 which is designed to concentrate the cooling effect ofthe refrigerant adjacent a particular area instead of dispersing thecooling effect over substantially the entire face of the bandage. Asbefore, the top layer 70 and bottom layer 72 of the inflatable compressare joined to each other around the margins by a heat seal 73 whereby aninterior chamber is formed therebetween. An interior layer 71,corresponding in size to the general dimensions of the area over whichit is desired to concentrate the cooling effect of the refrigerant, isdisposed in the interior chamber between layers 70 and 72. The marginsand a portion of the center region of layer 71 are joined to inner layer72 by a heat seal 75 which is arranged in a spiral pattern whereby aspiral channel is formed between layers 71 and 72. A refrigerant inletfitting 47 is attached to the inflatable wrap-around bandage incommunication with the centrally disposed end of spiral channel 76.Layer 7] is cut away at corner 77 to form an outlet for the outer end ofchannel 76 into the interior chamber between layer and layer 72. Thegeneral operation ofinflatable bandage 81 is essentially the same as theoperation of the previously described embodiments except for the factthat the cooling effect of the refrigerant which enters through inletfitting 47 is more concentrated in the region of the bandagecorresponding to the area traversed by spiral channel 76. The remainderof the bandage will exert a somewhat lesser cooling effect on theadjacent portions of the body of the patient being treated.

It is also contemplated within the scope of the invention to locate therefrigerant conducting channel in a portion of the wall of the compresswhich is adapted to be disposed remote from the body of the patientbeing treated so that the patient is not directly subjected to the fullcooling effect of the refrigerant.

The devices of the present invention are capable of operating throughouta wide range of temperatures and pressures. As a general rule, thepressure of the compress should be slightly higher than the internalpressure of the body fluids of the patient. The temperature of thecompress should be somewhere between the body temperature of the patientand the temperature at which the body tissue of the patient will freeze.The precise pressure and temperature applied will of course depend onthe injury being treated and on the nature of the patient, whether ahuman, a horse or another mammal.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the presentinvention provides a means for promptly and effectively treatinginjuries in mammals by cooling with pressure which is capable ofsustained operation for a substantial period of time. Moreover, thedevice does not require constant attention, is not messy or inconvenientto use, and is inexpensive in comparison to systems which requireexternal refrigeration equipment. In addition, the device is compact andselfcontained so as to be particularly adapted for portable operation.

While the foregoing constitutes a detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the device of the invention, it is recognized thatmodifications thereof undoubtedly will occur to those skilled in theart. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited solely bythe scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for treating mammals comprising:

a flexible, inflatable compress adapted to be placed adjacent a bodyarea to be treated;

said compress comprising a surrounding wall and an inflatable interiorcavity formed by said wall;

said compress further comprising an enclosed chan- I nel formed in aportion of the compress wall adapted to conduct a fluid refrigerant oversaid compress wall portion;

said channel opening into the inflatable interior cavity of saidcompress and being connected to an external source of compressedrefrigerant whereby refrigerant from said source is constrained to passover said compress wall portion by traversing said channel beforeentering the inflatable interior cavity of said compress;

means interposed between said source and said channel for controllingthe rate of flow of refrigerant from the source into the compresswhereby the rate of cooling of said compress can be controlled; and

pressure relief means connected to said compress and communicatingbetween the inflatable interior cavity of the compress and the ambientatmosphere for regulating the maximum pressure in the compress wherebythe pressure applied to the body area being treated can be controlled.

2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the conducting channel isformed in a portion of the wall of the compress adapted to be disposedadjacent the area to be treated when the device is used.

3. A device as recited in claim 2, wherein the conducting channelextends over the entire portion of the compress wall adapted to bedisposed adjacent the area to be treated when the device is used.

4. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the conducting channel isformed in a portion of the wall of the compress adapted to be disposedremote from the area to be treated when the device is used.

5. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said compress is made from aninelastic material.

6. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said halocarbon refrigerantis dichlorodifluoromethane.

7. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said compress is aninflatable, wrap-around bandage.

8. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the compress is an inflatablesleeve.

9. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the compress is an inflatablemitten.

10. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the compress is aninflatable boot.

11. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said refrigerant source is atank of liquified carbon dioxide.

12. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said refrigerant source is atank of liquified halocarbon refrigerant.

13. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said halocarbon refrigerantis monochlorodifluoromethane.

14. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said halocarbon refrigerantis dichlorotetrafluoroethane.

15. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said flow rate control meansis a manually operated valve.

16. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said pressure relief meansis a pressure relief valve.

17. A device as recited in claim 16, wherein said pressure relief valveis detachably connected to said compress.

18. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a harness forsupporting said refrigerant source on the mammal being treated.

19. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a quick releasevalve communicating between the interior of compress and the ambientatmosphere for facilitating rapid deflation of the compress whentreatment with the device is to be ended.

20. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising check valve meansinterposed between the refrigerant source and said channel forpreventing back-flow of the refrigerant.

21. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said compress wall portioncomprises two layers of flexible, thermoplastic material; joined to eachother by a pattern of heat seals; said pattern of heat seals forming anelongated fluid conducting conduit between said layers; one end of saidelongated conduit opening into the inflatable interior cavity of saidcompress and the other end of said conduit being connected to saidsource of compressed refrigerant whereby refrigerant from said source isconstrained to traverse the entire length of said conduit beforeentering said interior cavity.

22. A device as recited in claim 21 wherein said pattern of heat sealsis a pair of interlocking combs.

23. A device as recited in claim 21 wherein said pattern of heat sealsis a spiral.

24. A flexible, inflatable compress adapted to be placed adjacent a bodyarea of a mammal to be treated;

said compress comprising a surrounding wall and an inflatable interiorcavity formed by said wall;

a portion of said wall comprising two layers of flexible thermoplasticmaterial joined to each other by a pattern of heat seals;

said pattern of heat seals forming an elongated fluid conducting channelextending over said wall portion between said layers; and

one end of said channel opening into the inflatable interior cavity ofsaid compress, and the other end of said channel being adapted to beconnected to an external source of compressed refrigerant.

25. A compress as recited in claim 24 wherein said pattern of heat sealsis a pair of interlocking combs.

26. A compress as recited in claim 24 wherein said pattern of heat sealsis spiral.

27. A flexible, inflatable compress adapted to be placed adjacent a bodyarea to be treated;

said compress comprising a surrounding wall and an inflatable interiorcavity formed by said wall;

a portion of said wall comprising two layers of flexible,fluid-impervious material;

a pattern of secured and unsecured areas over said two layer portion;said secured areas joining said two layers to each other; said unsecuredareas constituting an elongated, enclosed fluid conducting channelextending over said wall portion between said two layers; and

one end of said channel opening into the inflatable interior cavity ofsaid compress, and the other end of said channel being adapted to beconnected to an external source of compressed refrigerant.

28. A compress as recited in claim 27 further comprising a pressurerelief valve communicating between the inflatable interior cavity of thecompress and the external atmosphere.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 871,381 Dated March 18, 1975 Inventor(s) D n l J. Roslonski It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 6, line 1, "5" should read 12 Claim 13, line 1, "5" should read 12Claim 14, line 1, "5" should read l2 Signcd and Scaled this Twenty-thirdD y f M y 1978 sum .4 Host:

RUTH (I MASON LUTRELLE F. PARKER Am'sring Officer Acting ('ummissionerof Patents and Trademarks

1. A device for treating mammals comprising: a flexible, inflatablecompress adapted to be placed adjacent a body area to be treated; saidcompress comprising a surrounding wall and an inflatable interior cavityformed by said wall; said compress further comprising an enclosedchannel formed in a portion of the compress wall adapted to conduct afluid refrigerant over said compress wall portion; said channel openinginto the inflatable interior cavity of said compress and being connectedto an external source of compressed refrigerant whereby refrigerant fromsaid source is constrained to pass over said compress wall portion bytraversing said channel before entering the inflatable interior cavityof said compress; means interposed between said source and said channelfor controlling the rate of flow of refrigerant from the source into thecompress whereby the rate of cooling of said compress can be controlled;and pressure relief means connected to said compress and communicatingbetween the inflatable interior cavity of the compress and the ambientatmosphere for regulating the maximum pressure in the compress wherebythe pressure applied to the body area being treated can be controlled.2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the conducting channel isformed in a portion of the wall of the compress adapted to be disposedadjacent the area to be treated when the device is used.
 3. A device asrecited in claim 2, wherein the conducting channel extends over theentire portion of the compress wall adapted to be disposed adjacent thearea to be treated when the device is used.
 4. A device as recited inclaim 1, wherein the conducting channel is formed in a portion of thewall of the compress adapted to be disposed remote from the area to betreated when the device is used.
 5. A device as recited in claim 1,wherein said compress is made from an inelastic material.
 6. A device asrecited in claim 5, wherein said halocarbon refrigerant isdichlorodifluoromethane.
 7. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein saidcompress is an inflatable, wrap-around bandage.
 8. A device as recitedin claim 1, wherein the compress is an inflatable sleeve.
 9. A device asrecited in claim 1, wherein the compress is an inflatable mitten.
 10. Adevice as recited in claim 1, wherein the compress is an inflatableboot.
 11. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said refrigerantsource is a tank of liquified carbon dioxide.
 12. A device as recited inclaim 1, wherein said refrigerant source is a tank of liquifiedhalocarbon refrigerant.
 13. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein saidhalocarbon refrigerant is monochlorodifluoromethane.
 14. A device asrecited in claim 5, wherein said halocarbon refrigerant isdichlorotetrafluoroethane.
 15. A device as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid flow rate control means is a manually operated valve.
 16. A deviceas recited in claim 1, wherein said pressure relief means is a pressurerelief valve.
 17. A device as recited in claim 16, wherein said pressurerelief valve is detachably connected to said compress.
 18. A device asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a harness for supporting saidrefrigerant source on the mammal being treated.
 19. A device as recitedin claim 1, further comprising a quick release valve communicatingbetween the interior of compress and the ambient atmosphere forfacilitating rapid deflation of the compress when treatment with thedevice is to be ended.
 20. A device as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising check valve means interposed between the refrigerant sourceand said channel for preventing back-flow of the refrigerant.
 21. Adevice as recited in claim 1 wherein said compress wall portioncomprises two layers of flexible, thermoplastic material; joined to eachother by a pattern of heat seals; said pattern of heat seals forming anelongated fluid conducting conduit between said layers; one end of saidelongated conduit opening into the inflatable interior cavity of saidcompress and the other end of said conduit being connected to saidsource of compressed refrigerant whereby refrigerant from said source isconstrained to traverse the entire length of said conduit beforeentering said interior cavity.
 22. A device as recited in claim 21wherein said pattern of heat seals is a pair of interlocking combs. 23.A device as recited in claim 21 wherein said pattern of heat seals is aspiral.
 24. A flexible, inflatable compress adapted to be placedadjacent a body area of a mammal to be treated; said compress comprisinga surrounding wall and an inflatable interior cavity formed by saidwall; a portion of said wall comprising two layers of flexiblethermoplastic material joined to each other by a pattern of heat seals;said pattern of heat seals forming an elongated fluid conducting channelextending over said wall portion between said layers; and one end ofsaid channel opening into the inflatable interior cavity of saidcompress, and the other end of said channel being adapted to beconnected to an external source of compressed refrigerant.
 25. Acompress as recited in claim 24 wherein said pattern of heat seals is apair of interlocking combs.
 26. A compress as recited in claim 24wherein said pattern of heat seals is spiral.
 27. A flexible, inflatablecompress adapted to be placed adjacent a body area to be treated; saidcompress comprising a surrounding wall and an inflatable interior cavityformed by said wall; a portion of said wall comprising two layers offlexible, fluid-impervious material; a pattern of secured and unsecuredareas over said two layer portion; said secured areas joining said twolayers to each other; said unsecured areas constituting an elongated,enclosed fluid conducting channel extending over said wall portionbetween said two layers; and one end of said channel opening into theinflatable interior cavity of said compress, and the other end of saidchannel being adapted to be connected to an external source ofcompressed refrigerant.
 28. A compress as recited in claim 27 furthercomprising a pressure relief valve communicating between the inflatableinterior cavity of the compress and the external atmosphere.